Archive for December, 2008

I Embrace Stress

Stress is a part of life that I can embrace and enjoy.

Life is indeed stressful, but we are designed for this. We are made for stress, and a life of tension does not equate to a life of unhappiness. Just think of an athlete right before he hits a home-run. He is nervous, and the situation is tense, but never for a minute is he unhappy. He is where he belongs. He is using the stress to his advantage, and enjoying the release that ultimately comes with victory.

I accept the stress when I feel it. I realize that it is natural. I understand that it is my bodies way of coping with frustration. It floods my body with powerful chemicals that would enable me to fight. It gives me strength and courage. I could snap and attack if necessary. These are wonderful things. I appreciate stress for what it is.

At times I don’t need it though. The power it gives me is not necessary. The drain on my energy is wasted. My body does not know this though, and I have to coach it. I have to feel the stress building, recognize its symptoms, and calm myself down. I close my eyes, breathe in as deeply as I can, and let my mind lightly drift away like soft clouds. I feel the stress settle and the warmth of peace return. Soon I’m calm and the stress is gone.

I know that stress has a purpose and I appreciate what it empowers me to do. Without its role in my life, I would be a weaker person. I also know how to recognize it for what it is. I know when I want it and when I don’t. I am learning to control it, harness it for good, and ease it away when unnecessary.

Questions of Reflection:

1. Do I know how to recognize the symptoms of stress?
2. Do I appreciate it for what it is?
3. Do I know how to calm myself when it is unnecessary?

I Am Passionate

I aim my passions in the direction of my interests.

I am living the life I want to be living. I am doing what I want to be doing. My passion is easy to elicit and natural.

I avoid negative people. I live my life with other strong people, people of passion and meaning. I feed off their energy, and they feed off of mine. We are all people of projects. We are busy with work that captures our imagination. I look forward to my life, to my work, and to my aspirations. I am living the life that I was meant to be living.

No matter what happens, I keep my head in the game. I look at the big picture and stay focused. I don’t let the world get me down. I am respectful and kind, but I won’t submit or deny my own life for the betterment of another’s. If I make a sacrifice, it’s because I want to, not because I have to.

I focus on keeping myself strong and energetic. I follow my dreams and let the energy of my natural passion carry me.

I can be my most productive when I’m doing what I love. I keep my passion and imagination strong by taking good care of myself.

I eat well and sleep well. I pay careful attention to how my body feels, and I exercise often. I feel the peace and comfort that comes with a healthy body. I’m confident in my health.

Questions of Reflection:

1. Am I as passionate as I have been in the past?
2. What can I do to become more passionate?
3. Am I living a life that is in line with my passion?

My Body is Important

I am good to my body.

I am always certain to pay enough attention to my basic biological needs. I always make an effort to sleep enough, exercise enough, and eat healthy. I don’t sacrifice my body to the world no matter how much pressure I’m under. I always take my health into consideration. I am not willing to sacrifice my health. I know how to ease my mind, relax, and recover from stress.

Exercise and Rest are important to me. I make an effort to exercise every day. I understand how important it is to my health. I know that it allows me to stay strong, healthy, and young. Sleep and relaxation gives my cells time to revitalize and grow. It allows them to fight off sickness and infection.

Creativity, imagination, and happiness depend on my health. My health depends on enough exercise and relaxation. A tired brain is easily disturbed and thrown out of focus. A tired brain doesn’t have the energy to be playful. Everything it has is focused on getting through the day.

This is why I care for my body and my brain. A happy life is a healthy well rested life.

Questions of Reflection:

1. Am I putting enough focus on my own happiness and health?
2. Do I let the world take priority over my own life?
3. Am I healthy enough to permit my powers of human imagination and creativity to surface.